Lieutenant Hornblower
Ratings21
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings21
Average rating3.9
The Second Horatio Hornblower Tale of the Sea The nineteenth century dawns and the Napoleonic Wars rage as Horatio Hornblower is ordered to the Caribbean and dangerous waters. New Lieutenant Hornblower's latest ship is HMS Renown, a sound vessel whose captain is unfortunately of rather unsound mind. When ordered to attack a Spanish anchorage, the chain of command breaks down and it requires all of Hornblower's seafaring cunning to avert disaster. As cannons pound and splinters fly aboard their beleaguered vessel, and the men are forced to engage at close quarters, the young lieutenant knows that to save his ship and crew he must prove himself a master of the high seas . . . This is the second of eleven books chronicling the adventures of C. S. Forester's inimitable nautical hero, Horatio Hornblower. Featuring an exclusive introduction by Bernard Cornwell, creator of Sharpe 'One of the best. Everyone interested in war, or in human nature, should read this fascinating tale' The Times Literary Supplement
Series
10 primary booksHornblower Saga: Chronological Order is a 9-book series with 9 primary works first released in 1937 with contributions by C.S. Forester.
Series
9 primary booksHornblower Saga: Publication Order is a 9-book series with 9 primary works first released in 1937 with contributions by C.S. Forester.
Reviews with the most likes.
This book is a mixed bag, in which Hornblower's luck runs back and forth between bad and good. He has his first meeting with Bush, who turns out to be a loyal colleague and friend. But they're both initially subject to the tyranny of an insane captain.
After they get past that, the middle part of the book is mostly relatively cheerful, and Hornblower's career seems to be progressing well; until peace is declared and he finds himself unemployed in dire poverty in England. As the book ends, war is looming again, and his career begins to recover.
It's not a bad book, and it's an essential part of Hornblower's story, but it's not one of my favourites. He meets not only Bush but also Maria in this story; I find Maria rather tiresome, and she remains for the next five books (8 years of his life), mostly but not always offstage.
Better than the first one and a nice introduction to Mr. Bush's character. The writing is still neat and on the point.
